Surface cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surface cleaning apparatus has a housing defining at least part of a cyclone chamber and a pre-motor filter chamber. In one embodiment, the housing is pivotally mounted to the main body of a hand vacuum cleaner. The housing is moveable between an in use position and an emptying position, in which the cyclone chamber and the pre-motor filter are concurrently openable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/818,856, filed on Mar. 15, 2019 and also claimspriority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/825,148, filed on Mar. 28,2019, the content of each of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to an emptying mechanism for a surfacecleaning apparatus and a surface cleaning apparatus having same. Thesurface cleaning apparatus is optionally a hand vacuum cleaner.

INTRODUCTION

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is partof the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a personskilled in the art.

Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Such surfacecleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners, including upright vacuumcleaners, hand carryable vacuum cleaners, canister-type vacuum cleaners,extractors and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners (e.g. Shop-Vac™). Somevacuum cleaners include a cyclonic separator (also referred to as acyclone bin assembly) having a cyclone chamber and a dirt collectionchamber. A suction motor is used to draw air through the surfacecleaning apparatus. A filter, such as a pre-motor filter, may beprovided in the airflow path through the surface cleaning apparatus.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detaileddescription that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or asyet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in anycombination or sub-combination of the elements or process stepsdisclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

In one aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus, which may be a handcarryable surface cleaning apparatus, is provided which has a housing,which defines at least part of an air treatment chamber and at leastpart of a filter chamber. The housing is operable (e.g., pivotallymoveable) between an in use position and an emptying position. In theemptying position, each of the air treatment chamber and the filterchamber are opened. An advantage of such a design is that a singlemovement may permit dirt collected in the air treatment chamber to beemptied and the filter to be removed. A further advantage is that thehousing may be emptied without removing any component from the surfacecleaning apparatus.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extendingbetween the front and rear ends, the hand vacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a filter in a        filter chamber and a suction motor are provided in the air flow        passage;    -   (c) a housing rotatably mounted to the main body about a        rotational axis, the housing including at least a portion of the        air treatment chamber and at least a portion of the filter        chamber, the housing moveable between an in use position in        which each of the air treatment chamber and the filter chamber        are closed and an emptying position in which each of the air        treatment chamber and the filter chamber are open, a first end        of the housing having an open end of the air treatment chamber        when the housing is in the emptying position and a second end of        the housing longitudinally spaced from the first end having an        open end of the filter chamber when the housing is in the        emptying position,    -   wherein when the housing is in emptying position, the first end        is located on one side of the rotational axis and the second end        is located on an opposite side of the rotational axis.

In some embodiments, the housing may be rotatably mounted to the mainbody at a location between the first and second ends.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may have an upper end and alower end and, when the housing is in emptying position, the first endmay face downwardly and the second end may face upwardly.

In some embodiments, the filter may be located in the portion of thefilter chamber provided in the housing.

In some embodiments, the open end of the air treatment chamber mayextend in a first plane, the longitudinal axis may intersect the firstplane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and the firstplane may be acute, and the open end of the filter chamber may extend ina second plane that is generally parallel to the first plane.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be positioned in theair flow passage downstream from the dirty air inlet, the filter may bepositioned in the air flow passage downstream from the air treatmentchamber and the suction motor may be positioned in the air flow passagedownstream from the filter wherein the air treatment chamber, the filterand the suction motor may be arranged linearly when the housing is inthe in use position.

In another aspect, when the housing is in emptying position, the firstend may be located on one side of the longitudinal axis and the secondend may be located on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis.

In accordance with this aspect, there is also provided a hand vacuumcleaner having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axisextending between the front and rear ends, the hand vacuum cleanerhaving:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a filter in a        filter chamber and a suction motor are provided in the air flow        passage;    -   (c) a housing rotatably mounted to the main body, the housing        including at least a portion of the air treatment chamber and at        least a portion of the filter chamber, the housing moveable        between an in use position in which each of the air treatment        chamber and the filter chamber are closed and an emptying        position in which the each of the air treatment chamber and the        filter chamber are open, a first end of the housing having an        open end of the air treatment chamber when the housing is in the        emptying position and a second end of the housing longitudinally        spaced from the first end having an open end of the filter        chamber when the housing is in the emptying position,    -   wherein when the housing is in emptying position, the first end        is located on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second        end is located on an opposite side of the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the housing may be rotatably mounted to the mainbody at a location between the first and second ends.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may have an upper end and alower end and, when the housing is in emptying position, the first endmay face downwardly and the second end may face upwardly.

In some embodiments, the filter may be located in the portion of thefilter chamber provided in the housing.

In some embodiments, the open end of the air treatment chamber mayextend in a first plane, the longitudinal axis may intersect the firstplane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and the firstplane may be acute, and the open end of the filter chamber may extend ina second plane that is parallel to the first plane.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be positioned in theair flow passage downstream from the dirty air inlet, the filter may bepositioned in the air flow passage downstream from the air treatmentchamber and the suction motor may be positioned in the air flow passagedownstream from the filter wherein the air treatment chamber, the filterand the suction motor may be arranged linearly when the housing is inthe in use position.

In another aspect, as the housing is moved from the in use position tothe emptying position, the first end is moved in a first direction andthe second end is moved in a direction opposite to the first direction.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extendingbetween the front and rear ends, the hand vacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a filter in a        filter chamber and a suction motor are provided in the air flow        passage;    -   (c) a housing moveably mounted to the main body, the housing        including at least a portion of the air treatment chamber and at        least a portion of the filter chamber, the housing moveable        between an in use position in which each of the air treatment        chamber and the filter chamber are closed and an emptying        position in which the each of the air treatment chamber and the        filter chamber are open, a first end of the housing having an        open end of the air treatment chamber when the housing is in the        emptying position and a second end of the housing longitudinally        spaced from the first end having an open end of the filter        chamber when the housing is in the emptying position,    -   wherein as the housing is moved from the in use position to the        emptying position, the first end is moved in a first direction        and the second end is moved in a direction opposite to the first        direction.

In some embodiments, the housing may be moveably mounted to the mainbody at a location between the first and second ends.

In some embodiments, the hand vacuum cleaner may have an upper end and alower end and, when the housing is in emptying position, the first endmay face downwardly and the second end may face upwardly.

In some embodiments, the filter may be located in the portion of thefilter chamber provided in the housing.

In some embodiments, the open end of the air treatment chamber mayextend in a first plane, the longitudinal axis may intersect the firstplane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and the firstplane may be acute, and the open end of the filter chamber may extend ina second plane that is parallel to the first plane.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be positioned in theair flow passage downstream from the dirty air inlet, the filter may bepositioned in the air flow passage downstream from the air treatmentchamber and the suction motor may be positioned in the air flow passagedownstream from the filter wherein the air treatment chamber, the filterand the suction motor may be arranged linearly when the housing is inthe in use position.

In another aspect, the sidewall of the surface cleaning apparatusincludes a longitudinally extending portion, which may be a lowerportion, that moves between a closed position and an open emptyingposition.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and alongitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the handvacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a pre-motor        filter in a pre-motor filter chamber and a suction motor are        provided in the air flow passage; and,    -   (c) the air treatment chamber having a front end, a rear end and        a sidewall extending between the front and rear ends of the air        treatment chamber, the sidewall of the air treatment chamber        including an upper longitudinally extending portion and a lower        longitudinally extending portion, wherein the upper and lower        longitudinally extending portions abut at a juncture that        extends longitudinally and the upper and lower longitudinally        extending portions are moveably between a closed position and an        open emptying position.

In some embodiments, the juncture may be located in a longitudinallyextending plane.

In some embodiments, the longitudinally extending plane may extendgenerally horizontally when an upper portion of the hand vacuum cleaneris positioned above a lower portion of the hand vacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, the lower longitudinally extending portion mayrotate downwardly.

In some embodiments, a forward portion of the lower longitudinallyextending portion may be pivotally mounted to a remainder of the handvacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, a rearward portion of the lower longitudinallyextending portion may be pivotally mounted to a remainder of the handvacuum cleaner.

In some embodiments, a screen may be positioned in the air treatmentchamber wherein the screen may be moveable to a cleaning position.

In some embodiments, when the lower longitudinally extending portion isin the open emptying position, the screen may be moveable to thecleaning position.

In some embodiments, the screen may be moveable to the cleaning positionconcurrently with the lower longitudinally extending portion moving tothe open emptying position.

In some embodiments, the screen may be rotatably mounted at a rear endof the air treatment chamber.

In some embodiments, the lower longitudinally extending portion mayrotate downwardly and the screen may rotate the same amount as the lowerlongitudinally extending portion.

In some embodiments, the lower longitudinally extending portion mayrotate downwardly and the screen may rotate a lesser amount than thelower longitudinally extending portion.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may have a cyclonechamber.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be removable through theair treatment chamber when the lower longitudinally extending portion isin the open emptying position.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be translatable forwardlyonce the lower longitudinally extending portion is in the open emptyingposition.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be removable when thelower longitudinally extending portion is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be removable through anopening provided in a longitudinally extending sidewall of the mainbody.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be removable in adirection transverse to the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be provided in a pre-motorfilter housing and a portion of the housing may form a portion of thesidewall of the main body.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be pivotally mountedto the main body and the pre-motor filter chamber may be opened when theair treatment chamber is pivoted to an open position.

In another aspect, the filter chamber may be opened by rotating portionof the hand vacuum cleaner relative to another portion of the handvacuum cleaner so as to open the filter chamber and, optionally, a rearend of the filter chamber. An advantage such a design is that the filtermay be removed without opening the air treatment chamber.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and alongitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the handvacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a pre-motor        filter in a pre-motor filter chamber and a suction motor are        provided in the air flow passage; and,    -   wherein the air treatment chamber may be provided in a housing        that may be rotatably mounted to the main body and moveable        between a closed in use position and an open position and the        pre-motor filter chamber may be opened when the housing may be        rotated to the open position.

In some embodiments, the housing may be pivotally mounted to the mainbody.

In some embodiments, a rear end of the pre-motor filter chamber may berotatably mounted to the main body

In some embodiments, a rear end of the housing may be rotatably mountedto the main body.

In some embodiments, a rear end of the pre-motor filter chamber may beopened when the housing is rotated to the open position.

In some embodiments, a rear end of the pre-motor filter chamber may beopened and may face upwardly when the housing is rotated to the openposition and the upper end of the longitudinal axis extendshorizontally.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be provided in thehousing.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be provided in thehousing forward of the pre-motor filter.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may have a cyclonechamber.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be openableindependently of the pre-motor filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may be openable after thepre-motor filter chamber has been opened.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may have a handlewherein the handle may have a hand grip portion that may extendgenerally axially.

In some embodiments, a rear end of the pre-motor filter chamber may beopened and may face upwardly when the housing is rotated to the openposition and the upper end of the longitudinal axis extendshorizontally.

In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be a porous filter media.

In some embodiments, the porous filter media may include a foam filter.

In another aspect, a housing of an air treatment chamber, which may be acyclone chamber, includes a forward portion and a rearward portionwherein at least one of the forward and rearward portions is moveablebetween a closed position and an open emptying position. In the closedposition, the forward and rearward portions meet along a line that isdiagonal to the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and alongitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the handvacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber and a suction        motor are provided in the air flow passage; and,    -   (c) a housing including the air treatment chamber having a front        end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front and        rear ends of the air treatment chamber, the housing including a        forward portion having a rearward edge and a rearward portion        having a forward edge,    -   wherein the forward edge and rearward edge abut at a juncture        that extends at an angle between 5 and 85° to the longitudinal        axis and the forward and rearward portions are moveably between        a closed position and an open emptying position in which the air        treatment chamber may be opened.

In some embodiments, the forward and rearward portions may be rotatablymounted with respect to each other.

In some embodiments, the forward portion may include the air inlet.

In some embodiments, the forward portion may be pivotally mounted to aforward end of the rearward portion.

In some embodiments, the forward portion may be rotated forwardly fromthe closed position to the open position.

In some embodiments, the air treatment chamber may include a cyclonechamber and a dirt collection chamber may be provided exterior to thecyclone chamber and both the cyclone chamber and the dirt collectionchamber may be opened when the forward and rearward portions are in theopen emptying position.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus may have an ejectorprovided in the cyclone chamber wherein the ejector may be translatableforwardly.

In some embodiments, the ejector may be translatable forwardlysubsequent to the cyclone chamber opening.

In some embodiments, the ejector may include an annular member moveablebetween an in use position in which the ejector may be positioned at arear end of the cyclone chamber and an emptying position in which theejector has been translated forwardly.

In some embodiments, the rearward edge of the forward portion may have afront most portion and a rearmost portion and the forward edge of therearward portion may have a front most portion and a rearmost portionand, in the closed position, the rearmost portion of the rearward edgemay be rearward of the front most portion of the forward edge and thefront most portion of the forward edge may be forward of the rearmostportion of the rearward edge.

In some embodiments, the rearmost portion of the rearward edge may bebelow the front most portion of the rearward edge when the longitudinalaxis is horizontal and the upper end is above the lower end.

In some embodiments, the juncture may extend upwardly and forwardly whenthe longitudinal axis is horizontal and the upper end is above the lowerend.

In some embodiments, the forward portion may be rotated rearwardly fromthe closed position to the open position.

In some embodiments, the rearmost portion of the rearward edge may beabove the front most portion of the rearward edge when the longitudinalaxis is horizontal and the upper end is above the lower end.

In some embodiments, the juncture extends upwardly and rearwardly whenthe longitudinal axis is horizontal and the upper end is above the lowerend.

In some embodiments, the rearward portion may be pivotally mounted tothe main body.

In some embodiments, each of the forward portion and the rearwardportion may be rotatably mounted to the main body.

In some embodiments, the forward portion may be rotatably mounted to anupper end of the main body and the rearward portion may be rotatablymounted to a lower end of the main body.

In another aspect, a sidewall of a housing of the surface cleaningapparatus is rearwardly translatable.

In accordance with this aspect, there is provided a hand vacuum cleanerhaving a front end, a rear end, an upper end, a lower end and alongitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the handvacuum cleaner having:

-   -   (a) a main body;    -   (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a        clean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber and a suction        motor are provided in the air flow passage; and,    -   (c) a housing including the air treatment chamber having a front        end, a rear end and a sidewall extending between the front and        rear ends of the air treatment chamber, wherein the front end        may be rotatably mountable to the hand vacuum cleaner between an        in use position and an open emptying position and the sidewall        may be translatable rearwardly when the front end may be in the        open emptying position.

In some embodiments, the front end may be rotated rearwardly from theclosed position to the open position.

In some embodiments, the front end may include the dirty air inlet.

In some embodiments, the front end may include a cleaning toolelectrical connector electrically engageable with a cleaning tool.

In some embodiments, the sidewall may include an electrical leadextending from a main body electrical contact to the cleaning toolelectrical connector.

In some embodiments, the sidewall may be translatable between a forwardposition and a rearward emptying position and the electrical lead may beelectrically connected to the main body electrical contact when thesidewall is in its forward position.

In some embodiments, the electrical lead may be disconnected from themain body electrical contact when the sidewall is in its rearwardposition.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will bedescribed in greater detail below.

DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show moreclearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are top, side, and front views respectively of thesurface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 in the in use position;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 1 in an emptying position;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 1 in the emptying position with a filter removed;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 in the in use position;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 in the emptying position;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 1 showing various handle positions;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 1 showing removal of the battery;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 1 attached to a wand and a cleaning head;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.9A in an emptying position;

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaning apparatusof FIG. 9A in the in use position;

FIG. 9D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.9A with a filter removed;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.10A in an emptying position;

FIG. 100 is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 10A in the in use position;

FIG. 10D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.10A with a filter removed;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.11A in an emptying position;

FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 11A in the in use position;

FIG. 11D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.11A with a filter removed;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.12A in an emptying position;

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 12A in the in use position;

FIG. 12D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.12A with a filter removed;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.13A in an emptying position;

FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 13A in the in use position;

FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.13A with a filter removed;

FIG. 13E is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 13A in the emptying position;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.14A in an emptying position;

FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 14A in the in use position;

FIG. 14D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.14A with a filter removed;

FIG. 14E is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.14A in the emptying position;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.15A in an emptying position;

FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 15A in the in use position;

FIG. 15D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.15A with a filter removed;

FIG. 15E is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 15A in the emptying position;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.16A in an emptying position;

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 16A in the in use position;

FIG. 16D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.16A with a filter removed;

FIG. 16E is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 16A in the emptying position;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.17A in an emptying position;

FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 17A in the in use position;

FIG. 17D is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 17A with a filter removed;

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus in an inuse position;

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.18A in an emptying position;

FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 18A in the in use position;

FIG. 18D is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG.18A with a filter removed.

FIG. 18E is a cross-sectional side view of the surface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 18A in the emptying position.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below toprovide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. Noembodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimedinvention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from thosedescribed below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses,methods and compositions having all of the features of any oneapparatus, method or composition described below or to features commonto multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions describedbelow. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition describedbelow is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any inventiondisclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that isnot claimed in this document may be the subject matter of anotherprotective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, andthe applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon,disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosurein this document.

The terms “an embodiment,” “embodiment,” “embodiments,” “theembodiment,” “the embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “someembodiments,” and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all)embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to,” unless expressly specified otherwise. Alisting of items does not imply that any or all of the items aremutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,”“an” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be“coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, “joined”, “affixed”, or “fastened”where the parts are joined or operate together either directly orindirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as alink occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts aresaid to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directlyattached”, “directly joined”, “directly affixed”, or “directly fastened”where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. Asused herein, two or more parts are said to be “rigidly coupled”,“rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, “rigidly joined”, “rigidlyaffixed”, or “rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as tomove as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to eachother. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, “joined”,“affixed”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or moreparts are joined together.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may berepeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments describedherein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in theart that the example embodiments described herein may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as notto obscure the example embodiments described herein. In addition, thedescription is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the exampleembodiments described herein.

General Description of a Vacuum Cleaner

FIGS. 1 to 8 show an exemplary embodiment of a surface cleaningapparatus 100 that may use one or more aspects of an emptying mechanismthat are disclosed herein. The following is a general discussion of thesurface cleaning apparatus 100, which provides a basis for understandingseveral of the features discussed herein. As discussed subsequently,each of the features may be used individually or in any particularcombination or sub-combination in this or in other embodiments disclosedherein.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 may be any type of surface cleaningapparatus including, for example, a hand vacuum cleaner (as shown), astick vacuum cleaner, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuumcleaner, an extractor, or a wet/dry type vacuum cleaner. In theembodiment shown, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a hand vacuumcleaner. Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus may use one or morecyclones and may therefore be a cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus.

As exemplified in FIG. 1 , the surface cleaning apparatus 100 has afront end 102, a rear end 104, and a longitudinal axis 106 extendingbetween the front and rear ends 102, 104. The surface cleaning apparatus100 has an upper end 101 and a lower end 103. The surface cleaningapparatus 100 has a dirty air inlet 110, a clean air outlet 112, and anairflow passage extending therebetween. The airflow passage has adirection of flow from the dirty air inlet 110 to the clean air outlet112. An air treatment chamber 120, a filter chamber 130, and a suctionmotor 114 are provided in the airflow passage.

The surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a main body 108, which includes ahandle 116. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the main body 108 extendsfrom the front end 102 to the rear end 104. A housing 140 is mounted tothe main body 108. The housing 140 has a first end 142, a second end144, and a sidewall 146 extending from the first end 142 to the secondend 144. The second end 144 is longitudinally (rearwardly asexemplified) spaced from the first end 142. The housing 140 includes atleast a portion of the air treatment chamber 120 and at least a portionof the filter chamber 130. It will be appreciated that a main body thatreceives a moveable housing 140 may be of various designs.

The air treatment chamber 120 has a first end 122 and a second end 124with a sidewall 126 extending therebetween. The air treatment chamberhas an upper end 121 and a lower end 123. In some embodiments, the airtreatment chamber 120 may comprise a cyclone, a plurality of cyclones,or a plurality of cyclonic stages. As exemplified, the air treatmentchamber comprises a single cyclone chamber. It will be appreciated thathousing 140 may comprise only part of, essentially all, or all of theair treatment chamber. The remainder of the air treatment chamber may bepart of the main body.

The air treatment chamber 120 may house a porous air treatment member128, which is positioned in the airflow passage downstream of the dirtyair inlet 110, for removing particulate matter from air flowing throughthe airflow passage. In some embodiments, the air treatment member 128may be, for example, a screen or shroud as is known in the art.

The filter chamber 130 may be positioned downstream from the airtreatment chamber and upstream of the suction motor. Accordingly, thefilter chamber 130 may be a pre-motor filter chamber. The filter chamber130 has a first end 132, a second end 134, and a sidewall 136 extendingtherebetween. The filter chamber 130 has an upper end 131 and a lowerend 133. At least one filter 138 is located within the filter chamber130. It will be appreciated that the filter 138 may be any filter knownin the art. For example, the filter 138 may be physical filter mediasuch as one or more of a foam filter, a felt filter, a HEPA filter orthe like. It will be appreciated that housing 140 may comprise only partof, essentially all, or all of the filter chamber. The remainder of thefilter chamber may be part of the main body. For example, when in theemptying position, the filter may remain in the main housing.

As exemplified, in use, air flows into the surface cleaning apparatus100 through the dirty air inlet 110 into the air treatment chamber 120.The screen 128 separates particulate matter from the air in the airtreatment chamber 120. The particulate matter settles in the airtreatment chamber 120 and/or a dirt chamber exterior to the airtreatment chamber 120. The air exits the air treatment chamber 120 andthen travels through the filter chamber 130 whereupon the air passesthrough the filter 138. The air flows from the filter 138 to the suctionmotor 114 and then out the clean air outlet 112.

It will be appreciated that the various elements discussed herein arefor reference for the discussion of the specific exemplified embodimentsand that the elements such as the handle, the screen and filter, thesuction motor and the like may be of various constructions known in theart. It will also be appreciated that some elements that are discussedare optional and need not be in any particular embodiment.

Description of a Moveable Housing with Openable Opposed Ends

In some cases, emptying a dirt container, such as an air treatmentchamber in which dirt is accumulated, may be complicated and may run therisk of collected dirt not being received in the desired refusereceptacle. Further, a user may have to handle a part that is dirty orthe user may have to handle a part that is near to the emptying end of adirt container of a surface cleaning apparatus. For example, a user mayhave to remove a dirty filter or other components of the surfacecleaning apparatus in order to empty the collected dust and particulatematter. Removing components increases the likelihood of spreading dustand particulate matter as well as dirtying the user's hands.

According to this aspect, housing 140 is moveably mounted to the mainbody. As the housing is moved from the in use position to the emptyingposition, the first end is moved in a first direction and the second endis moved in a direction opposite to the first direction. For example,the housing may be rotatably mounted to the main body. Such a structuremay allow the surface cleaning apparatus to be emptied easily, withouthaving to remove any additional components and without a user having tohandle any portion of the surface cleaning apparatus proximate the openend of the dirt collection region of the surface cleaning apparatus. Asexemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 , when in the emptying position, thehousing 140 may provide access to both the air treatment chamber and thefilter chamber.

FIGS. 1 to 8 exemplify an embodiment wherein all of the lower end of theair treatment chamber is part of housing 140 and accordingly housing 140includes a substantial portion of the air treatment chamber. Similarly,all of the upper end of the filter chamber is part of housing 140 andaccordingly housing 140 includes a substantial portion of the filterchamber. As exemplified, the front of the filter chamber abuts the rearof the air treatment chamber and two chambers may be separated by asingle wall having the air treatment chamber air outlet therein. Asexemplified, the housing 140 is pivotally mounted to the main body 108about axis 152. Rotating the housing 140 about axis 152 allows thehousing 140 to move between an in use position (see, e.g., FIG. 1 ) andan emptying position (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). When in the in use position,as exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the air treatment chamber 120and the filter chamber 130 are closed. As the air treatment chamber andthe filter chamber are at opposite sides of the housing (and the openend of the air treatment chamber is on the opposite side of therotational axis from the open end of the filter chamber), when in theemptying position, as exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 the first end 142 ofthe housing 140 provides access to the air treatment chamber 120 whilethe second end 144 of the housing 140 provides access to the filterchamber 130.

As exemplified in FIGS. 1 to 8 , the housing 140 is pivotally mounted tothe main body 108 by a pivot 150. The pivot 150 allows the housing 140to rotate about the rotational axis 152. The housing 140 may bepivotally mounted to the main body at a location between the one of thefirst and second ends 142, 144, or at a location therebetween. Asexemplified, the pivot 150 is located approximately at the midpoint ofthe housing 140 between the first end 142 and the second end 144. Anadvantage of such a placement is that, when the housing is in theemptying position, the open end of the filter chamber may be positionedon an opposite side of the longitudinal axis 106 from the open end ofthe air treatment chamber, and, optionally, radially outwardly of theouter surface of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, referringto FIG. 5B, the first end 142 is located below the longitudinal axis 106while the second end 144 is located above the longitudinal axis 106.

It will be appreciated that the length in the longitudinal direction ofthe air treatment chamber in housing 140 may be similar to the length inthe longitudinal direction of the filter chamber in housing 140.Therefore, if the pivot 150 is located at a location approximatelymidway along the length in the longitudinal direction of the housing140, then pivot 150 may be located at or proximate to the rear end ofthe air treatment chamber 120.

When in the emptying position, as exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 , each ofthe air treatment chamber 120 and the filter chamber 130 are open. Thefirst end 142 of the housing provides an open end of the air treatmentchamber 120 when the housing 140 is in the emptying position. The secondend 144 of the housing 140 provides an open end of the filter chamber130 when the housing 140 is in the emptying position. In other words,the first end 142 of the housing 140 is open such the portion of the airtreatment chamber 120 in the housing 140 may be accessed. The second end144 of the housing 140 is open such that the portion of the filterchamber 130 in the housing 140 may be accessed.

As described above, during use, and when in the in use position, dustand particulate matter are separated from the air by the screen 128. Thedust and particulate matter collect in the air treatment chamber 120, atleast a portion of which is provided in housing 140. As such, thehousing 140 also collects dust and particulate matter in the portion ofthe housing 140 defining the air treatment chamber 120. When the housing140 is moved or rotated to the emptying position, the first end 142 ofthe housing 140 provides an open end of the air treatment chamber 120.The dust and particulate matter can then be emptied from the housing 140and the air treatment chamber 120 through the first end 142, e.g., bygravity.

Similarly, the housing 140 includes at least a portion of the filterchamber 130. In some embodiments, the filter 138 may be located in theportion of the filter chamber 130 provided in the housing 140. Asexemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the filter 138 is located in the portionof the filter chamber 130 provided in the housing 140. When the housing140 is moved or rotated to the emptying position, the second end 144 ofthe housing 140 provides an open end of the filter chamber 130. Thefilter 138 may then be removed from the housing 140 through the secondend 144. It will be appreciated that the main body may contain part ofthe filter chamber and that the filter may remain in position in thepart of the filter chamber of the main body when the housing is in theemptying position.

In some embodiments, when in the in use position, the air treatmentchamber 120, the filter 138, and the suction motor 114 may be arrangedlinearly. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the air treatmentchamber 120 is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from thedirty air inlet 110, the filter 138 is positioned in the air flowpassage downstream from the air treatment chamber 120 and the suctionmotor 114 is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from thefilter 138 such that the air treatment chamber 120, the filter 138 andthe suction motor 114 are arranged linearly when the housing 140 is inthe in use position.

The open end of the air treatment chamber defined by housing 140 and theopen end of the filter chamber defined by housing 140 may be of variousshapes and may mate with abutting surfaces of the main body to define aclosed air treatment chamber and a closed filter. As illustrated in FIG.5A, the open end of the air treatment chamber 120 (first end 142)extends in a first plane 160 and the open end of the filter chamber 130(second end 144) extends in a second plane 162 that maybe generallyparallel to the first plane 160. The longitudinal axis 106 may intersectthe first plane 160. An included angle 164 between the longitudinal axis106 and the first plane 160 may be acute (e.g., 30-60°, optionally about45°).

As exemplified in FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the housing 140 is in theemptying position, the first end 142 may face downwardly and the secondend 144 may face upwardly. By having the first end 142 face downwardly,the open end of the air treatment chamber 120 may be used to empty airtreatment chamber 120 of dust and particulate matter using gravity. Byhaving the second end 144 face upwardly, the filter 138 does not fallout when the housing 140 is emptied. Additionally, the filter 138 may beeasily removed.

As exemplified, pivot axis 152 extends horizontally (when longitudinalaxis 106 extends horizontally. Therefore, as exemplified in FIGS. 2, 3,and 4 , when moved from the in use position to the emptying position,the first end 142 moves downwardly while the second end moves upwardly.It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, pivot axis 152 mayextend in a different plane. For example, it may extend vertically whenthe longitudinal axis extends horizontally. In such a case, the firstdirection may be forwardly while the direction opposite to the firstdirection may be rearwardly (i.e., as the housing 140 is pivoted open,the open end of the air treatment chamber may rotate rearwardly and theopen end of the filter chamber may pivot forwardly.

In some embodiments, a lock releasable by a release mechanism, may beused secure the housing 140 in the in use position. The releasemechanism may be located on the housing or on the main body. Asexemplified in FIG. 3 , the main body 108 includes a housing releasemechanism 170. When pressed, the housing release mechanism 170 allowsthe housing 140 to move from the in use position to the emptyingposition.

Description of Axially Openable Air Treatment Chamber

In some embodiments, the sidewall 126 of the air treatment chamber 120may include an upper longitudinally extending portion 125 and a lowerlongitudinally extending portion 127. The upper and lower longitudinallyextending portions 125, 127 may abut at a juncture 129 that extendsgenerally longitudinally. The juncture 129 may be located in alongitudinally extending plane 166. As exemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D,the longitudinally extending plane 166 may extend generally horizontallywhen the upper end 101 of the surface cleaning apparatus 100 (which mayinclude the inlet nozzle) is positioned above the lower end 103 of thesurface cleaning apparatus. As exemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, thelongitudinally extending plane 166 may extend generally horizontally. Asexemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the longitudinally extending plane 166may extend from the first end 122 to the second end 124 of the airtreatment chamber 120. In some embodiments, the longitudinally extendingplane 166 may extend generally horizontally for only a portion of thejuncture 129 between the first end 122 and the second end 124. Asexemplified in FIGS. 9A to 10D, the longitudinally extending plane 166extends generally horizontally for a substantial portion of the distancebetween the second end 124 and the first end 122.

The upper and lower longitudinally extending portions 125, 127 may bemoveable between a closed position and an open emptying position. Asexemplified, at least a portion of the lower longitudinally extendingportion 127 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 108 or anotherportion of the hand vacuum cleaner. As exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 11D,the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 is pivotally mounted tothe main body 108 by a pivot 200, about rotational axis 202.

The lower longitudinally extending portion 127 may rotate downwardly toprovide access to the air treatment chamber 120. As exemplified in FIGS.9A to 10D, a rearward portion of the lower longitudinally extendingportion 127 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 108, and as such,the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 may rotate rearwardly.

Alternately, as exemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, a forward portion ofthe lower longitudinally extending portion 127 may be pivotally mountedto the main body 108 by pivot 200, and as such, the lower longitudinallyextending portion 127 may rotate downwardly or forwardly.

It will be appreciated that the pivot 200 may be located at the firstend 122 of the air treatment chamber 120 (as exemplified by FIGS. 11A to11D), the second end 124 of the air treatment chamber 120 (asexemplified by FIGS. 9A to 10D), or any location therebetween if, e.g.,only part of longitudinal length of the lower portion is moveablymounted. It will also be appreciated that any longitudinally extendingportion of the sidewall of the air treatment chamber 120 may be moveable(e.g., the upper portion or a side portion) and therefore the pivot 200may be located at the upper end 101, the lower end 103 (as exemplifiedby FIGS. 11A to 11D), or at a location therebetween (as exemplified byFIGS. 10A to 11D).

As described above, during use, and when in the in use position, dustand particulate matter are separated from the air by the air treatmentchamber 120. The dust and particulate matter collect in the airtreatment chamber 120. When the lower longitudinally extending portion127 is moved or rotated to the emptying position, the air treatmentchamber 120 is opened. The dust and particulate matter can then beemptied from the air treatment chamber 120 through the opening e.g., bygravity. As exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 10D, when the lowerlongitudinally extending portion 127 is moved to the emptying position,dust and particulate matter may be released from the air treatmentchamber 120 by sliding along the lower end 123 and out of the surfacecleaning apparatus 100.

In embodiments where the lower longitudinally extending portion 127includes only a portion of the lower end 123 of the air treatmentchamber 120, when the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 is inthe emptying position, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may also betipped forward or backwards to remove any of the dust and particulatematter that was not removed when the lower longitudinally extendingmember initially moved to the emptying position.

It will be appreciated that if the air treatment chamber 120 Has a dirtcollection chamber external thereto, then both the air treatment chamber120 and the dirt collection chamber may be concurrently opened.

Description of Forwardly and Rearwardly Openable Housing Portions

In accordance with another aspect, the air treatment chamber may beconstructed from two portions, at least one of which is openable,wherein the two parts abut along a juncture that extends at a diagonalto the longitudinal chamber axis. Embodiments of such a design areexemplified in FIGS. 12A to 17D.

As exemplified, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may have a housing240. The housing 240 has a first end 242, a second end 244, and asidewall 245 extending therebetween The housing 240 includes the airtreatment chamber 120 such that the first and second ends 242, 244 ofthe housing 240 may be the same as the first and second ends 122, 124 ofthe air treatment chamber 120. The housing 240 has a forward portion 246having a rearward edge 248 and a rearward portion 250 having a forwardedge 252. As exemplified in FIGS. 12A to 17D, the forward portion 246may include the dirty air inlet 110.

In some embodiments, the rearward edge 248 of the forward portion 246has a front most portion 247 and a rearmost portion 249 and the forwardedge 252 of the rearward portion 250 has a front most portion 251 and arearmost portion 253 (see for example (see FIG. 12B). When in the closedposition, the rearmost portion 249 of the rearward edge 248 may berearward of the front most portion 251 of the forward edge 252 and thefront most portion 251 of the forward edge 252 is forward of therearmost portion 249 of the rearward edge 248.

In some embodiments, the rearmost portion 249 of the rearward edge 248is below the front most portion 247 of the rearward edge 248 when thelongitudinal axis 106 is horizontal and the upper end 101 is above thelower end 103 (see for example (see FIG. 12B).

In some embodiments, the rearmost portion 249 of the rearward edge 248is above the front most portion 247 of the rearward edge 248 when thelongitudinal axis 106 is horizontal and the upper end 101 is above thelower end 103 (see for example (see FIG. 16B).

The forward edge 252 and the rearward edge 248 may abut at a juncture260. The juncture 260 may extend at angle 262 to the longitudinal axis.In some embodiments, the angle 262 is between 5 and 85 degrees to thelongitudinal axis 106. In some embodiments, the angle 262 may be between15 and 75 degrees to the longitudinal axis 106. In some embodiments, theangle 262 may be between 30 and 60 degrees to the longitudinal axis 106.As exemplified in FIGS. 12A to 15E, juncture 260 may extend upwardly andforwardly when the longitudinal axis 106 is horizontal and the upper end101 is above the lower end 103. As exemplified in FIGS. 16A to 17D, thejuncture 260 may extend upwardly and rearwardly when the longitudinalaxis 106 is horizontal and the upper end 101 is above the lower end 103.

The forward and rearward portions 246, 250 are moveable between a closedposition and an open emptying position in which the air treatmentchamber 120 is opened. The forward and rearward portions 246, 250 may berotatably mounted with respect to each other. As exemplified in FIGS.12A to 15E, the forward portion 246 is pivotally mounted to the frontmost portion 251 of the rearward portion 250 by a pivot 204, aboutrotational axis 206. The forward portion 246 may be rotated forwardlyfrom the closed position (as exemplified by FIG. 12A) to the openposition (as exemplified by FIG. 12B). As exemplified by FIGS. 16A to16D, the forward portion 246 may be rotated rearwardly from the closedposition to the open emptying position. Accordingly, the rearwardportion 250 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 108.

As exemplified in FIG. 17A to 17D, each of the forward and rearwardportions 246, 250 may be pivotally coupled to the surface cleaningapparatus 100. As exemplified, the forward portion 246 is rotatablymounted to the upper end 101 of the main body 108 and the rearwardportion 250 is rotatably mounted to the lower end 103 of the main body108. The forward portion 246 is pivotally mounted to the main body 108by pivot 204 and the rearward portion 250 is pivotally mounted to themain body 108 by pivot 208, about rotational axis 210. The forwardportion 246 may rotate upwardly and rearwardly about the axis 206 andthe rearward portion 250 may rotate downwardly and rearwardly about theaxis 210.

As exemplified in FIG. 17B, the air treatment chamber 120 may have afirst dirt collecting region 154 (e.g., the interior of the airtreatment chamber) and a second dirt collecting region 156 exterior tothe first dirt collecting region 154 (e.g., a dirt collection chamber).The first dirt collecting region 154 may collect larger particulatematter, while finer particulate matter may pass through the first dirtcollecting region 154 into the second dirt collecting region 156. Asexemplified, the first dirt collection region 154 may be a cyclonechamber. When the forward and rearward portions 246, 250 are in the openemptying position, both the first dirt collecting region 154 and thesecond dirt collecting region 156 may be opened.

As exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 11D, the lower longitudinally extendingportion 127 may include both the first dirt collecting region 154 andthe second dirt collecting region 156. As exemplified in FIGS. 12A to13E, the forward portion 246 may include both the first dirt collectingregion 154 and the second dirt collecting region 156.

As exemplified in FIGS. 14A to 15E, the forward portion 246 may includeonly the second dirt collecting region 156. As exemplified in FIGS. 16Ato 17D, the forward portion 246 may not include either the first dirtcollecting region 154 or a lower end of the second dirt collectingregion 156.

It will be appreciated that the forward portion 246 or the lowerlongitudinally extending portion 127 may include a portion of one orboth of dirt collecting regions 154 and 156. Accordingly, when theforward portion 246 or the lower longitudinally extending portion 127does not include either the first dirt collecting region 154 or thesecond dirt collecting region 156, or when the forward portion 246 orthe lower longitudinally extending portion 127 includes only a portionof the first or second collecting regions 154, 156, the surface cleaningapparatus 100 may be tipped forwards or backwards to ensure that dirtand particulate matter are removed from the air treatment chamber 120.

Description of Rearwardly Translatable Housing

In accordance with another aspect, the sidewall of the air treatmentchamber may be moved (translated) rearwardly in order to empty thechamber. The front face of the chamber (or the front face of the handvacuum cleaner if the front face of the chamber is the front face of thehand vacuum cleaner) may be moved (e.g., rotated) so as to permit thesidewall to be translated rearwardly. An advantage of this design isthat the screen 128 may be revealed for cleaning if needed.

In accordance with this aspect, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 mayhave a housing 280. The housing 280 includes the air treatment chamber120 and extends from a front end 282 to a rear end 284 with a sidewall286 extending therebetween. The front end 282 may be located at or nearthe first end 122 and the rear end 284 may be located at or near thesecond end 124. The front end 282 may be rotatably mountable to thesurface cleaning apparatus 100. The front end 282 may rotate between anin use position and an open emptying position. As exemplified in FIGS.18A to 18E, the front end 282 may include the dirty air inlet 110.

As exemplified in FIGS. 18A to 18E, the sidewall 286 may be translatablerearwardly subsequently to or as the front end 282 is moved to the openemptying position. As exemplified, the front end 282 may be rotatedrearwardly from the closed in use position to the open emptyingposition. The front end 282 may be coupled to the pivot 212 at alocation between the first end 122 and the second end 124 of the airtreatment chamber 120.

The main body 108 may include a groove 288 and a flange 290. The flange290 is slideably coupled to the groove 288. The diameter of the airtreatment chamber 120 is larger than the diameter of the filter chamber130. The pivot 212 may be coupled to the flange 290. To move from the inuse position (forward position FIG. 18A) to the emptying position(rearward position FIG. 18B), the front end 282 is rotated upwardly atthe pivot 212 (about the rotational axis 214). Once the front end 282 isabove the upper end 121 of the air treatment chamber 120, the flange 290may slide along the groove 288 towards the rear end 104. As exemplifiedin FIGS. 18B and 18E, the flange 290 may slide along the groove 288until the screen 128 is fully exposed. In some embodiments, the screen128 may only be partially exposed.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 includes acleaning tool electrical connector 310. The cleaning tool electricalconnector 310 may be electrically engageable with a cleaning tool. Forexample, the cleaning tool electrical connector 310 may be engageablewith the cleaning head 182. In some embodiments, the sidewall 126 mayinclude an electrical lead 312 extending from a main body electricalcontact 314 to the cleaning tool electrical connector 310. In someembodiments, the electrical lead 312 may be electrically connected tothe main body electrical contact 314 when the sidewall 126 is in itsforward position. The electrical lead 312 may be disconnected from themain body electrical contact 314 when the sidewall 126 is in itsrearward position.

Description of Cleaning the Screen

In some cases, the screen 128 may become clogged with hair or largerparticulate matter or debris. In such cases, it may be desirable toaccess the screen 128 to clean the hair or debris. According to thisaspect, the screen 128 may be positioned in the air treatment chamber120 during use of the hand vacuum cleaner and may be moveable to acleaning position subsequent to, or concurrently with the opening of theair treatment chamber. Alternately, or in addition, a cleaning member(e.g., an annular ejector ring) may be translatable along a screen toclean the screen when the air treatment chamber is in the closed or openposition.

As exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 10D, the screen 128 may be moveable to thecleaning position when the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 isin the emptying position. As exemplified in FIG. 9A to 10D, the screen128 may be moveable to the cleaning position concurrently with the lowerlongitudinally extending portion 127 moving to the open emptyingposition. As exemplified in FIGS. 10A to 10D, the screen 128 may rotatethe same amount as the longitudinally extending portion 127.Alternately, as exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the screen 128 may rotateto a lesser amount or degree than the lower longitudinally extendingportion 127. For example, the screen 128 may rotate, e.g., 45 degreeswhile the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 may rotate, e.g.,60 degrees. Thus, a larger gap is formed between the screen 128 and thelower longitudinally extending portion 127 in the emptying position.This gap may allow for easier cleaning of the screen 128 by providingadditional space for the user to access the screen 128.

In some embodiments, the screen 128 may be moveably mounted to thesecond end 124 of the air treatment chamber 120. For example, the screen128 may be pivotally mounted to a pivot 216 and may rotate about arotational axis 218. As exemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the screen 128may rotate downwardly. Rotating the screen 128 downwardly may improvethe efficiency of the removal of dust and particulate matter from theair treatment chamber 120. Further, larger debris such as hair may moreeasily be removed from the screen 128 with the assistance of gravity.

As exemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the pivot 216 may be a separatepivot from the pivot 200 for the openable portion of the air treatmentchamber.

In some embodiments, some or all of the air treatment chamber 120 mayalso rotate with the screen 128. As exemplified in FIGS. 14A to 14D, thefirst dirt collecting region 154 and the screen 128 rotate about thepivot 216. As exemplified in FIGS. 17A to 17D, both the screen 128 and aportion of the air treatment chamber 120 rotate about the pivot 208.

In some embodiments, the screen 128 may be coupled to a biasing member(not shown). When the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 or theforward portion 246 is moved from the in use position to the emptyingposition, the biasing member may bias the screen 128 downwards forcleaning. When the lower longitudinally extending portion 127 or theforward portion 246 is moved to the emptying position, the screen 128may be forced to a cleaning position. Alternately, in some embodiments,the biasing member may bias the screen 128 to its in use position.

Whether the screen 128 is moveable or not, as exemplified in FIGS. 13Ato 13D, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may have an ejector 230translatable forwardly. In some embodiments, the ejector may betranslatable forwardly subsequent to the opening of the first dirtcollection region 154. The ejector may comprise an annular member orring 232 moveable between an in use position in which the ejector ispositioned at, e.g., the second end 124 of the air treatment chamber 120and an emptying position in which the ejector has been translatedforwardly.

During use, in the in use position, the ejector 230 may remain at thesecond end 124 of the air treatment chamber 120. The ejector 230 may becoupled to a slider (not shown) that translates between the airtreatment chamber 120 and the main body 108 to allow a user to slide theejector forwardly. As the ejector 230 is moved forwardly it may pushdust and particulate matter that has accumulated on or around the screen128 towards the front of the screen 128, e.g., towards to opening in theair treatment chamber 120 at the first end 122. The ejector 230 maycontact the screen 128 to dislodge hair or other particulate matter thatmay be stuck to the screen 128.

As described above and as exemplified in FIGS. 18A to 18E, the sidewall286 of the housing 280 may be retractable to provide access to thescreen 128. When the sidewall 286 in the rearward position, the screen128 may be accessed for cleaning using ejector 230.

Description of the Filter Removal

In accordance with another aspect, a pre-motor filter may be provided ina filter chamber that is accessible when the air treatment member is inthe closed in use position, e.g., by pivoting one portion of the handvacuum cleaner relative to another portion, or by translating thepre-motor filter outwardly (e.g., radially outwardly). Alternately, orin addition, the pre-motor filter may be accessible after the airtreatment chamber has been opened.

According to this aspect, in an embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 9A to9D, the pre-motor filter chamber may be accessed by rotating one portionof the hand vacuum cleaner relative to another portion. As exemplified,the air treatment chamber 120 may be included in a housing 300 having afront end 302, a rear end 304, and a sidewall extending therebetween.The air treatment chamber 120 may be provided in the housing 300 forwardof the pre-motor filter 138. The housing 300 may be rotatably, e.g.,pivotally, mounted to the main body 108 and moveable between a closed inuse position (FIG. 9C) and an open position (FIG. 9D). The filterchamber 130 may be opened by moving the housing 300 to the openposition. As exemplified, the second (rearward) end 134 of the filterchamber 130 may be opened when the housing 300 is rotated to the openposition. As exemplified, when the housing 300 is rotated to the openposition and the portion of the longitudinal axis 106 extending throughthe main body 108 extends horizontally, the second end 134 of the filterchamber 130 may be opened and may face upwardly. As exemplified, thehousing 300 may be pivotally coupled to a pivot 222 about a rotationalaxis 224. The pivot 222 may be located at the first end 132 or thesecond end 134 of the filter chamber 130. As exemplified, the rear end304 of the housing 300 may be rotatably mounted to the main body 108. Asexemplified, the second end 134 of the filter chamber 130 may berotatably mounted to the main body 108.

As exemplified in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the air treatment chamber 120 may beopenable independently of the filter chamber 130. In some embodiments,the air treatment chamber 120 may be openable before or after the filterchamber 130 has been opened.

As exemplified in FIG. 10D, the filter 138 may be removable when thelower longitudinally extending portion 127 is in the closed position. Asexemplified in FIG. 10D, the filter 138 may be removable through anopening 135 in a longitudinally extending sidewall 109 of the main body108. In some embodiments, a portion of the filter chamber 130 forms aportion of the sidewall 109 of the main body 108. For example, thefilter chamber 130 may include a filter cover 139. The filter cover 139may be removably or moveably coupled to the filter chamber 130 and thesidewall 109 of the main body 108.

When the filter cover 139 is moved or removed from the filter chamber130, the filter 138 may be accessed. In some embodiments, the filter 138may be coupled to the filter cover 139 such that when the filter cover139 is removed from the filter chamber 130, the filter 138 is alsoremoved. By coupling the filter 138 to the filter cover 139, a user mayremove the filter 138 without directly contacting the dirty filter 138.A user may then clean the filter 138 by holding onto the filter cover139. It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the filter 138may not be coupled to the filter cover 139, and the filter 138 may bemoved removed separately from the filter cover 139. For example, thefilter cover 139 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 108 such thatthe filter cover 139 may be rotated to provide access to the filter 138.

As exemplified in FIG. 10D, the filter cover 139 may be removed from theupper end 131 of the filter chamber 130. As exemplified in FIG. 12D, thefilter cover 139 may be removed from the lower end 133 of the filterchamber 130. It will be appreciated that the filter cover 139 may beremoved from the filter chamber 130 sideways or any other directiontransverse or generally transverse to the longitudinal axis 106 toprovide access to the filter 138.

In some embodiments, the filter 138 may be accessed through the firstend 132 of the filter chamber 130 by moving the screen 128. Asexemplified in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the filter 138 may be removable throughthe air treatment chamber 120 when the lower longitudinally extendingportion 127 is in the open emptying position. The first end 132 of thefilter chamber 130 may be coupled to the screen 128 such that when thescreen 128 is moved, the filter chamber 130 is opened to provide accessto the filter 138. The filter 138 may then be translated forwardly. Asexemplified in FIGS. 11B and 11D, the screen 128 may be rotated aboutthe pivot 216 to provide access to the filter 138 in the filter chamber130. The filter 138 may then be removed through the air treatmentchamber 120 to be cleaned or replaced.

The Handle

As exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 6 , the handle 116 may be rotatablymounted to the rear of the main body. The handle 116 rotates about ahinge 172. In some embodiments, a handle release mechanism may beincluded to release a lock that secures the handle in a particularposition. As exemplified, the handle 116 may include a handle releasemechanism 174. When the handle release mechanism 174 is pressed, thehandle 116 is free to rotate about the hinge 172. In some embodiments,instead of a handle release mechanism, the hinge 172 may provideresistance to rotation of the handle 116 to prevent accidental rotationof the handle 116. For example, a threshold amount of force may berequired to rotate the handle 116 from a first position to a secondposition. Once the threshold force is reached, the handle 116 may snapto the next position.

Hinge 172 may be a pivot pin. The axis of the pivot pin may extendhorizontally when the longitudinal axis 106 is oriented horizontally.Accordingly the handle 116 rotates downwardly to the positionexemplified in FIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include anon board energy storage member, (e.g., a battery or a supercapacitor).The battery or supercapacitor may be charged in situ, in which case theenergy storage member, e.g., a battery pack, may be non-moveably mountedto the surface cleaning apparatus, or it may be removable forrecharging, such as a removable battery pack.

As exemplified in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the surface cleaning apparatus 100includes a battery pack 118 that is removable, which as exemplified, maybe removably receivable via the rear end of the handle. As exemplified,as exemplified, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 may include a batteryrelease mechanism 176. When pressed, the battery release mechanism 176allows the battery 118 to be removed from the handle 116.

In some embodiments, as exemplified in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the surfacecleaning apparatus 100 may be coupled to an upper end of a wand 180 andthe wand 180 may be coupled to a cleaning head 182, so as to define astick-type vacuum cleaner for floor cleaning use.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understoodby persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not belimited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be giventhe broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front endand a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between the front andrear ends, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a main body; (b) anair flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outletwherein an air treatment chamber, a porous filter media removablepositionable in a filter chamber and a suction motor are provided in theair flow passage, the filter chamber provided in a filter housing; (c) arotatable housing rotatably mounted to the main body about a rotationalaxis, the rotatable housing including at least a portion of the airtreatment chamber and at least a portion of the filter housing, therotatable housing moveable between an in use position in which each ofthe air treatment chamber and the filter chamber are closed and anemptying position in which the air treatment chamber is open and theporous filter media is moved with the rotatable housing, a first end ofthe rotatable housing having an open end of the air treatment chamberwhen the rotatable housing is in the emptying position and a second endof the rotatable housing longitudinally spaced from the first end of therotatable housing having the porous filter media when the rotatablehousing is in the emptying position, wherein when the rotatable housingis in emptying position, the first end is located on one side of therotational axis and the second end is located on an opposite side of therotational axis.
 2. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein therotatable housing is rotatably mounted to the main body at a locationbetween the first and second ends of the rotatable housing.
 3. The handvacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has an upperend and a lower end and, when the housing is in emptying position, thefirst end faces downwardly and is located below the lower end and thesecond end faces upwardly and is located above the upper end.
 4. Thehand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the filter is located in theportion of the filter chamber provided in the rotatable housing as therotatable housing is moved to the emptying position.
 5. The hand vacuumcleaner of claim 1 wherein the open end of the air treatment chamberextends in a first plane, the longitudinal axis intersects the firstplane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and the firstplane is acute, and the open end of the filter chamber extends in asecond plane that is generally parallel to the first plane.
 6. The handvacuum cleaner of claim 1 wherein the air treatment chamber ispositioned in the air flow passage downstream from the dirty air inlet,the filter is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the airtreatment chamber and the suction motor is positioned in the air flowpassage downstream from the filter wherein the air treatment chamber,the filter and the suction motor are arranged linearly when the housingis in the in use position.
 7. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 1 whereinthe filter is one or more of a foam filter, a felt filter, and a HEPAfilter.
 8. A hand vacuum cleaner having a front end and a rear end and alongitudinal axis extending between the front and rear ends, the handvacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a main body; (b) an air flow passageextending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet wherein an airtreatment chamber, a filter in a filter chamber and a suction motor areprovided in the air flow passage; (c) a housing rotatably mounted to themain body, the housing including at least a portion of the air treatmentchamber and at least a portion of the filter chamber, the housingmoveable between an in use position in which each of the air treatmentchamber and the filter chamber are closed and an emptying position inwhich the each of the air treatment chamber and the filter chamber areopen, a first end of the housing having an open end of the air treatmentchamber when the housing is in the emptying position and a second end ofthe housing longitudinally spaced from the first end having a memberwhich separates the air treatment chamber from the filter when thehousing is in the emptying position, wherein when the housing is inemptying position, the first end is located on one side of thelongitudinal axis and the second end is located on an opposite side ofthe longitudinal axis, and wherein the open end of the air treatmentchamber extends in a first plane, the longitudinal axis intersects thefirst plane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and thefirst plane is acute, and an open end of the filter chamber is providedat the second end of the housing longitudinally spaced from the firstend and the open end of the filter chamber extends in a second planethat is parallel to the first plane.
 9. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim8 wherein the housing is rotatably mounted to the main body at alocation between the first and second ends.
 10. The hand vacuum cleanerof claim 8 wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has an upper end and a lowerend and, when the housing is in emptying position, the first end facesdownwardly and the second end faces upwardly.
 11. The hand vacuumcleaner of claim 8 wherein the filter is located in the portion of thefilter chamber provided in the housing when the rotatable housing is inthe emptying position.
 12. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 whereinthe air treatment chamber is positioned in the air flow passagedownstream from the dirty air inlet, the filter is positioned in the airflow passage downstream from the air treatment chamber and the suctionmotor is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from the filterwherein the air treatment chamber, the filter and the suction motor arearranged linearly when the housing is in the in use position.
 13. Thehand vacuum cleaner of claim 8 wherein the member comprises a rear endwall of the air treatment chamber.
 14. A hand vacuum cleaner having afront end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis extending between thefront and rear ends, the hand vacuum cleaner comprising: (a) a mainbody; (b) an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to aclean air outlet wherein an air treatment chamber, a filter removablepositionable in a filter chamber and a suction motor are provided in theair flow passage; (c) a housing moveably mounted to the main body, thehousing including at least a portion of the air treatment chamber and atleast a portion of the filter chamber, the housing moveable between anin use position in which each of the air treatment chamber and thefilter chamber are closed and an emptying position in which the airtreatment chamber is open and a downstream end of the filter is exposedwithout an additional manipulation of the filter apart from the openingof the air treatment chamber, a first end of the housing having an openend of the air treatment chamber when the housing is in the emptyingposition, wherein as the housing is moved from the in use position tothe emptying position, the first end is moved in a first direction andthe second end is moved in a direction opposite to the first direction.15. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the housing is moveablymounted to the main body at a location between the first and secondends.
 16. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the hand vacuumcleaner has an upper end and a lower end and, when the housing is inemptying position, the first end faces downwardly and is located belowthe lower end and the second end faces upwardly and is located above theupper end.
 17. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the filter islocated in the portion of the filter chamber provided in the housingwhen the rotatable housing is in the emptying position.
 18. The handvacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the open end of the air treatmentchamber extends in a first plane, the longitudinal axis intersects thefirst plane and an included angle between the longitudinal axis and thefirst plane is acute, and an open end of the filter chamber is providedat the second end of the housing longitudinally spaced from the firstend and the open end of the filter chamber extends in a second planethat is parallel to the first plane.
 19. The hand vacuum cleaner ofclaim 14 wherein the air treatment chamber is positioned in the air flowpassage downstream from the dirty air inlet, the filter is positioned inthe air flow passage downstream from the air treatment chamber and thesuction motor is positioned in the air flow passage downstream from thefilter wherein the air treatment chamber, the filter and the suctionmotor are arranged linearly when the housing is in the in use position.20. The hand vacuum cleaner of claim 14 wherein the member comprises anoutlet conduit of the air treatment chamber.